The Hostess with the Mostest
The Hostess with the Mostest is the nickname bestowed upon Perle Mesta, the legendary Oklahoma City/Washington D.C./Luxembourg socialite who changed the world with her people skills. We love telling participants the Perle Mesta story on our Oklahoma City tours.
Here are 6 things we love about Perle Mesta.
Oklahoma City’s Skirvin Hotel served as the training ground for Perle Mesta.
Perle Mesta deployed her talents everywhere she went.
Perle Mesta identified up-and-comers and gave them a hand up.
Perle Mesta stayed true to herself in spite of the haters.
Perle Mesta’s political flip flop was likely an underwhelming event.
Perle Mesta came home.
Perle at the Skirvin Hotel
Oklahoma City’s Skirvin Hotel served as the training ground for Perle Mesta. The political power and influence in Oklahoma City was shifting as Bill Skirvin constructed Oklahoma’s largest hotel in 1911. The hotel became the place where business deals were negotiated, politicians did their horse trading, and Oklahoma City residents went to see and be seen. The Skirvin boasted a distinguished guest list including President Harry Truman, Elvis Presley, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, President Dwight Eisenhower, Jimmy Hoffa, Roger Staubach, and Mikhail Baryschinikov.
And, right in the middle of it all was Perle Skirvin Mesta, Bill’s daughter, who welcomed everyone to the Skirvin. The vibrant colors of the hotel’s decorative tile were no match for the light Perle fueled in a room. She knew everyone and everyone knew her.
The Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City pays homage to Perle Mesta, the Hostess with the Mostest.
The Talents of Perle Mesta
Perle Mesta deployed her talents everywhere she went. Perle Mesta may have even outshone Oklahoma City. Her unmistakable glow caught the eye of George Mesta, a Pittsburgh machine tool magnate and major contributor to the Republican Party. George and Perle married and Perle’s gift of hospitality played out on a new stage.
The exclusive restaurant at the Skirvin Hotel bears the name Perle Mesta and features the flavorful cuisine of Chef Andrew Black.
Perle quickly became known for her dinner parties and the who’s who guest list. She welcomed the Washington political class into her home. She filled event centers, and she navigated social circles to earn the nickname Hostess with the Mostest.
Strategic vision combined with her gift of hospitality as she became the leader in the National Woman’s Party, profitably managed an Arizona cattle ranch, and served as Chief of Station in Luxembourg.
Influence from the Skirvin Hotel to Washington D.C.
Perle Mesta identified up-and-comers and gave them a hand up. Perle had “the it factor,” and she could identify the same charisma in others. Parties hosted by Perle included Republicans, Democrats, business leaders and entertainers. Her talents flowed smoothly across political party lines as she spotted new political talent and helped position the up-and-comers with the right people to open doors of opportunity.
George and Perle were influential fund raisers. Married in 1917, the couple’s first home was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where George worked in the machine industry. During World War I, they moved to DC. George passed away in 1925, but Perle continued, even accelerated, her influence. She became a popular hostess in Newport, Rhode Island, but continued her political work. She served on the finance committee of presidential campaigns and lobbied for the Equal Rights Amendment. Her work earned her appointment as ambassador to Luxemborg, and Perle became the third woman to be chief of station. She later wrote a book, Perle: My Story.
The influence of Perle Mesta spanned Oklahoma City to Washington DC and included Luxemborg, Newport, Rhode Island, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Perle Mesta Overcame Opposition
Perle Mesta stayed true to herself in spite of the haters. Of course you do not elevate to Perle’s position without some opposition. She endured public petty attacks against her appearance and criticism of her actions. Many of the haters were the same people who attended her dinner parties. They just couldn’t stay away from the vibrant atmosphere she created.
The Skirvin Hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places. The tile floor is original to the 1911 construction.
From Republican to Democrat
Perle Mesta’s political flip flop was likely an underwhelming event. Perle easily glided across political party lines. She knew how to relate to people with a wide variety of backgrounds and interests.
George Mesta worked in D.C. during World War I. During that time Perle became acquainted with political society. The couple were important fund raisers for the Republican Party, but Perle’s dinner parties were never segregated by political affiliation. She knew how to befriend everyone and bring people together.
George passed away in 1925, Perle was 36 years old and still climbing toward the apex of her influence. In 1940, she moved from the Republican party to join the Democrats. She played a key role in helping elect Harry Truman as president — along with Oklahoma Governor Robert S. Kerr, who no doubt, frequented the Skirvin Hotel.
The positive impact Perle made on the Truman campaign and election caught the attention of the new president. He appointed Perle to be the first US ambassador to Luxembourg. She holds the position as the third woman to serve as chief of station. Perle’s entertaining and influential dinner parties became a real highlight at her new posting.
A look at the life and impact of Perle Mesta, the social queen of Washington, the Hostess with the Mostest
Perle Mesta Returned to Oklahoma City
Perle Mesta came home.
Oklahomans are special. It’s a fact. Oklahoma has produced many inventors, leaders, creators, entertainers, astronauts, and world-changers. We send them out as ambassadors of sorts, like our gift to the world. However, we are always eager to welcome them back home. Perle Mesta came home to Oklahoma City during her later years of life.
Oklahoma has had three oil booms. The first oil boom supplied the money used to build the Skirvin Hotel in the early 1900s, before Perle passed away, she got to enjoy the third oil boom that rocketed Oklahoma City’s economy. Her family hotel continued to thrive a few years beyond the end of her life.
Eventually, as it always does, the oil boom busted. Oklahoma City’s hotel occupancy rates dropped to the lowest in the nation and the mighty Skirvin Hotel closed its doors after 77 years as the life of Oklahoma City. We are happy that Perle never saw the decline that led to the doors bing shuttered.
Now, we honor her memory, while aspiring to be the hostess with the mostest, as a tour company that is the gateway to the city, welcoming all people in.
Perle Mesta is remembered in multiple aspects of Oklahoma City, one of them is the Mesta Park neighborhood filled with colorful, historic homes.
